Mahama Cho

DATE OF BIRTH: August 16, 1989

PLACE OF BIRTH: Abidjan, Ivory Coast

BASED: Manchester

WEIGHT: +87 (but Olympic weight will be +80kg)

WHEN DID YOU START TAEKWONDO AND WHY: I was eight years old and Taekwondo was part of my family heritage .

My dad, Zakaia Cho, was African National champion and someone people looked upto.

OTHER SPORTS PLAYED: I played semi pro football for Erith Town when I was 16. At 17, I switched to taekwondo. It was a tough decision. I can still hear my father saying 'why'?

HONOURS: Five-time National champion; 2009 French Open gold, 2010 Dutch Open silver, 2010 Belgian Open gold.

AMBITION: To medal at the Europeans, World and Olympics.

ROLE MODEL/FAVOURITE OTHER SPORTSMAN OR WOMAN: Pascal Gentil-he was a heavyweight whose skills were so unique for taekwondo. I would loved to have fought him.

Also Paul Green-he was my first coach in the GB team. He is just so enthusiastic and you are glad to have him in your corner.

WHY SHOULD THE PUBLIC WATCH TAEKWONDO: It's the best sport; nothing comes close. It's dynamic, it;'s fast and challenging. No type of martial art comes close to taekwondo.

IF SOMEONE GAVE YOU £1 MILLION, WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH IT: Probably retire my parents, Zakaia Cho and Susan Bishop straight away; send them to a nice island. They've been there for me throughout my career.

SOMETHING YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT MAHAMA CHO: When people see me outside the ring I am usually full of smiles. They don't know there is an aggressive side to The ring is my kingdom and I am not going in for second best.